FRSC SETS STANDARD FOR SCHOOL BUS OPERATION

Worried by the poor standard of school buses and mode of conveying school children in the country which often results to road traffic crash fatalities, the Federal Road Safety Corps has set operational standards for school proprietors in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja at a national stakeholders’ forum on school bus with the theme “School Bus Design and Usage: Child Safety Perspective”, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka decried the rickety state of vehicles which are being used as school buses in Nigeria, adding that aside from falling below recommended international standards, vehicles designed as school buses in other parts of the world,
 are being used for public transport in Nigeria and also stated that pupils and students are often made vulnerable due to overloaded buses which in most cases, are not operated with conductors thus exposing the children to high risk.

Citing the Canadian and American practices of school bus operation where strict traffic
 Guidelines are enforced, periodic drivers’ training and examination against drugs and alcohol and regular revalidation of school bus drivers’ license are complied with, the Corps Marshal made a strong case for bus colour,size, height, reinforced sides, flashing red lights, seat belts, cross view mirror and crossing and stopping sign arms as part of safety provisions that will ensure protection of school children while in transit.

The Corps Marshal further recommended yellow painted buses with black lettering of “school bus” on the front and rear, bus conductors and the establishment of a safety Unit with a Manager for schools with minimum of five vehicles and above on its fleet as additional measures to ensure that Nigerian school bus operation conform with global best practices.

In his paper presentation, the Director-General of the National Automotive Council, Engr Aminu Jalal identified the need to give top priority to school transportation and bus design in order to ensure that children who travel to and from school, are not exposed to traffic hazards.

Similarly, Sharon Oladiji from the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund(UNICEF) stated that parents should contribute to child safety by imparting their wards with road traffic norms, procedures for proper road usage and traffic drills while government and relevant  agencies should strive towards the construction of pedestrian bridges, zebra crossing and erection of appropriate road signs near school premises to guarantee the safety of children at school.

From the Standard Organization of Nigeria, Engr. Yahaya Bukar emphasized the need for a code of practice  to be put in place for school bus operators to strictly comply with and minimum insurance policies for such vehicles in addition to regular routine checks to ensure that school buses satisfy all requirements of vehicle inspection regulations.

Among resolutions from the forum is the possibility of acquiring standard school buses through private investors for hire by schools to convey their students and pupils , installation of speed regulators in the buses and  adherence to prescribed speed limits and padded seats, rails and stanchions to enhance the safety and comfort of school bus occupants.